Aug
22
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The Boathouse Restaurant – a light upon the river
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This restaurant has been in the doldrums for some time which is unfortunate considering its fantastic location on the banks of the Saigon River. Revelations of a French chef rumored to be able to revamp this tired old kitchen was good news indeed. Thierry Faburec from Brittany, the rugged region of northwest France, has traveled extensively practicing and polishing his cooking skills in countries as diverse as Italy and Australia.
We had reserved a table on the wooden deck. The magnificent outlook lends itself to long lazy evenings imbibing a good wine and lingering over a good meal and we looked forward to just that. The night sky was dulled by the afternoon’s storm clouds which had emptied their contents in a torrential downpour and left the evening air fresh and warm, ideal for outdoor dining. The cicadas and frogs were providing the music. The fast flowing eddies of the river transporting the green vegetation torn from the river banks and the industrious barges and tankers wending their way up and down the river were providing all the entertainment we needed.
The food and wine list is contained in the same menu. Unfortunately there is a limited selection of French wines, although I am sure this will be remedied, the Australian wine options were better and we settled for a superb Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills (Hill Smith VND1.1 million). As we sipped this wonderful nectar and browsed the food section of the menu we happened to spy ‘Crispy duck breast (imported) glazed with balsamic and served with a vegetable gratin’ (VND365,000). We went no further; surely a requirement in a restaurant with a French chef is to enjoy what must be the epitome of French cuisine.
Our crispy duck breast was a good-sized portion of moist, succulent meat, robust but subtle in its flavors which was teemed with a sweet balsamic sauce that complimented the duck perfectly. Served with a small gratin of vegetables and a couple of crispy potatoes, the whole was beautifully presented in the French way and left us believing that this chef was a practitioner who loves his vocation and delivers his passion to the table.
Unfortunately the dessert menu was very limited and had nothing on offer to tempt us but we remain assured that this will change.
The Boathouse is open for al fresco dining all day and the breakfast menu has recently been upgraded. They specialize in private parties and functions.
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Trekking to highlands, sleeping in trees
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In the process of developing tourism industry
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20/11/2012 08:33:24
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New appearance of ethnic wellbeing crucial
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20/11/2012 08:29:27
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Gaint Cham temple of Po Nagar
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20/11/2012 08:26:06
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Welcome HCM - Spanish cultural week
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20/11/2012 08:16:30
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Vietnamese devotional objects in Thai Binh province has been restored
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20/11/2012 08:13:00
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VIB funds Vietnam Airlines for new Airbus A321 aircrafts
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20/11/2012 08:10:00
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